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I Have No Case To Answer On False Assets Declaration Charges —– Saraki Tells CCT

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The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that he has no case to answer in the charges of false declaration pf assets brought against him by the Federal Government since 2015 shortly after he emerged as the Chairman of the National Assembly.

 

He announced to the tribunal his readiness to file a no case submission in the charges to establish that he was not in any way been linked with any crime or prima facie  established against him since the trial started.

 

Saraki, through his counsel, Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN) informed the Tribunal headed by Hon Dandali Yakubu Umar that he will need the complete record of proceedings since 2015 when the trial started to enable him review the evidence so far adduced by government and to make his no case submission in line with the provisions of the law.

 

The decision of Saraki to make the no case submission came as the Federal Government formally concluded the prosecution of the charges against him after calling four witnesses and tendering several documents to establish a case of false assets declaration against the defendant.

 

Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who has led the prosecution team since the trial commenced did not object to the announcement of Saraki to file a no case submission on the ground that it is the defendant’s right to do so.

 

Jacobs however pleaded with the Tribunal to consider time factor in View of the fact that trial had dragged since 2015.

 

Chairman of the Tribunal, Umar, after consultation with parties in the matter, fixed June 8, 2016 for the Tribunal to adopt the written submissions expected to be filed and exchanged by the prosecution and the defense.

 

At the resumed trial yesterday, a prosecution witness, Mr. Bayo Dauda had informed the Tribunal that the documents allegedly used for foreign transactions by Saraki were not in possession of his bank.

 

The witness, who came from one of the banks to tender some documents and give evidence, informed the Tribunal that all efforts to locate the documents were unsuccessful because the transactions had taken place long time ago.

 

Besides, the witness further said that he had no address of any proper bought in London by Saraki with the alleged foreign remittances.

 

He however admitted that Saraki, like any other customer took loans three times from his bank to purchase properties and that the loans had been repaid in line with terms of agreement guiding the loan agreement.

 

The witness informed the Tribunal that the defendant, apart from not defaulting in the payment for the three loans also complied with other terms which included the submissions of the tittle documents of the properties to bank purchased with the loans.

 

Dauda further stated that Saraki also had a comprehensive insurance on the properties acquired with the loans.

 

It will be recalled that the Federal government had, in 2015 dragged Saraki before the Tribunal accusing him of failure to declare his assets as required by while he served as the executive governor of Kwara state and when he emerged as a Senator from Kwara.

 

It will also be recalled also that the Federal government had amended the charge against Saraki four times before finally closing the case against the Senate President.

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DSS Arrests, Detains Lagos House of Assembly Members Over Obasa’s Removal As Speaker

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The last may not have been heard over the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly as two members of the House, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu are currently being detained at the DSS office in the State.

 

According to an impeccable source from the House, the two are facing interrogation in connection with the removal of Hon Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.

 

 

Obasa was removed as Speaker by the majority of the members on January 13 and replaced with the former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

 

 

In solidarity with their colleagues, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Mojeed Fatai with some other members of the House stormed the DSS office to secure their release.

 

 

Details later…

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EFCC Arrests Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf

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Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Society Reporters reports that The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television during a phone interview on Wednesday.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was taken into custody following a raid on his residence by EFCC operatives.

 

 

The Commission has announced that he is scheduled to be arraigned today January 30, 2025.

 

 

This arrest follows a petition submitted to the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Health, citing allegations of misconduct and fraudulent activities.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was dismissed from his position in 2019, a decision made seven months after a fact-finding panel from the Federal Ministry of Health recommended his removal due to alleged mismanagement of 919 million Naira.

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Just In: APC expels Rauf Aregbesola

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, over alleged anti-party activities.

 

Aregbesola, who was a two-term governor of Osun State had been having a running battle with the Osun chapter of the APC in recent times.

 

The disagreement with the APC led him into forming a factional group within the party, known as The Osun Progressive (TOP) which later mutated into the Omoluabi Caucus.

 

 

 

A letter from the APC leadership seen by newsmen on Wednesday officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion.

 

The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.

 

The letter read in part, “At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC.

 

 

The decision was predicated on clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party. As a result, you are no longer a member of the APC and must refrain from holding yourself out as one or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity.”

 

More details to come…..

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